Drama and Intrigue

I am not much into politics; even the non-governing kind that runs rampant in the work place or the exhausting jockeying for prestige and position in everyday life.  There are times, I admit, when I can get caught up in the drama and intrigue but for my own well-being and redemption I try my best to stay as far out of the mix as I can.

But this is an election year and the over-used expression of “politics makes for strange bedfellows” is just shouting out to me and driving me to look at affairs of state a little closer.  I love this phrase, even though I am completely uncertain what it actually means.  My overactive imagination is ignited and is working overtime to get to the bottom of politics for the sake of politics and the direct correlation it has with national security, the environment, interest rates as seen by the Fed and the other assorted sundry topics that impact myself and my family… down to the price I pay at the pump... and what it has to do with a mattress and box springs.

We are lucky to live in a country that allows us the freedom to think for ourselves and choose the person we feel is best in representing us.  But the maze one has to navigate in getting to know about politics, let alone each office and each candidate, is an undertaking that is so monumental that it wears me out just thinking about it.  So many facts and figures that it is difficult to differentiate and sort out what would be important for the office they wish to hold and what isn’t.  There is such a deluge of information that it all kind of melds together into a big glump and the only hope a candidate has to be elected is to have a catchy sounding name.

Last night, with the election looming just days away, I wanted to watch the local news.  After 8 campaign ads the anchor was finally on… for just a minute until it was time for 6 more ads – as the tempo of the whole half hour went.  Glad it was a slow news day; they couldn’t have gotten all those ads run if it wasn’t.  Talk about overload and exhausting… now I am beginning to see whom the strange fellows might be and where the bed may come in.

With the ads on TV, the flyers in the mail and the countless (recorded) phone messages I have received I still don’t have a clue on who is the best person for the job.  The limited information that can be had from this propaganda isn’t enough to make a decision, let alone one that will impact society for the next several years.  Heck, my getting a job at a pancake house during college took more background information than it seems is needed for one of these positions.

I am sounding a bit bitter, but in addition to knowing more about a candidate I would like to know how much money is spent in trying to coax the votes (could it be used more efficiently and effectively for a more worthy cause?) and I wonder if I will hear from these people again like they have been deluging me lately (as in, if they make it to office will they still want to hear from their constituents?) or will I have to wait until they want something from me.

Okay, enough said, I have studied the facts, pondered the details and I plan on voting based on my knowledge of the truth and not be swayed by glossy print ads, snazzy TV commercials or annoying phone calls.  I hope I can pick out the real politicians; the ones who know what it takes are willing to do it and can still sleep well at night.  I still don’t have a handle on exactly what a strange bedfellow is, nor do I think I want to know, but I am sure those in public office aren’t the only ones that would fit the bill.

Cynthia A. McClelland, curious observer of the obvious with interpretations of the oddities of daily life.  Mother, wife and lover of the furry, resides in the north Lake Tahoe area.

Cynthia A. McClelland © 2003-